According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion are preparing a summer move to sign 37-year-old Liverpool midfielder James Milner on a free transfer. The report also states Burnley are interested in signing the former England international as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
Soon to Be Free Agent James Milner Targeted by Brighton
🚨 EXCL: Brighton preparing move to sign James Milner as free agent. 37yo’s Liverpool contract expires this summer + #BHAFC determined to secure former England midfielder. Burnley also among suitors but Roberto De Zerbi’s men favourites @TheAthleticFC #LFC https://t.co/c0qQuz8YOJ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) April 28, 2023
Brighton Target 37-Year-Old Liverpool Player
Brighton are ready to make a move to sign Liverpool midfielder Milner as a free agent this summer. The English midfielder has been capped 61 times by his country and has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Anfield, winning the Champions League, Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup. He is reportedly on 120k-a-week, and the report from The Athletic states that Burnley are also interested in signing the Liverpool player, but Roberto De Zerbi’s men are considered favourites.
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Jurgen Klopp has a wish to keep Milner at Anfield, having previously praised the midfielder as “incredibly important.” Despite the Liverpool boss wanting to keep the Englishman, the club have given no indication – of offering him a new deal. Ornstein goes into more detail in the report explaining that Brighton have evaluated the situation and are determined to bring him to the Amex Stadium on a free transfer this summer.
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Milner’s experience would be invaluable to Vincent Kompany and his Burnley squad as his team prepare for life back in the Premier League. Despite the indications from Ornstein that Brighton are the favourites to win the race for the Liverpool midfielders signature, Kompany played alongside Milner at Manchester City. This link could offer him a big enough reason to remain in the northwest.
What Milner Would Bring to Brighton
Brighton are currently in eighth place in the Premier League, harbouring European ambitions for next season. Milner would provide leadership and experience to De Zerbi’s squad that would be invaluable to the club, especially if they qualify for Europe and will have extra fixtures to contend with.
The evergreen midfielder is combative and reads the game brilliantly. His passing is accurate and incisive and undoubtedly one of his best attributes. He would bring experience and know-how to any club he joins, and with his contract expiring at the end of this season, there will seemingly be a queue to sign the former England international.